Transfer track section



p 1933- E. T. BENNINGTON TRANSFER TRACK SECTION Filed Feb. 28, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Q Q N 1% p 1933- E. T. BENNINGTON TRANSFER TRACK SECTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1929 k 74 Max:462

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Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES.

TRANSFER TRACK SECTION Ohio ' Application February 23, 1929. Serial No. 343,260 w 6 Claims. (01. 214126) This invention relates to a transfer track sec-' tion for overhead carrier tramrail systems which is adapted to receive a carrier from a fixed track section at one rail level and transfer it-to another fixed track section at a different rail level, 01 which may also be adapted to receive a carrier from a fixed track ferent level. a

In my earlier Patent No. 1,570,035, a drop track section is disclosed which is adapted to receive a carrier from a fixed track section and to be lowered with thecarrier thereon to a lower level. However, the drop track section therein disclosed was free to swing after leaving its position in line with the fixed track section and would not thus be suitable as a transfer track section for transferring the carrier between two different fixed rail levels where it must be held in line with the rails at both of the levels.

An object oi'the present invention is to provide a transfertrack section for an overhead carrier tramrail system wherein the transfer section will be guided and held against lateral swinging throughout its entire movement, thus enabling the transfer track section to be moved into alignment with fixed track sections arranged at different levels or to be moved from a fixed track section at one level to a different level.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the detailed description of several embodiments of the invention proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments of the invention:

Fig. l is a sideelevation of one form of the invention wherein the 1 transfer track section is employed for transferring carriers between fixed track sections arranged at different levels;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the form shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4' isa sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of another form of the invention wherein the transfer track section is used to elevate a carrier from a fixed track section arranged at one level to a position above such level;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the form shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken approximately on line '77 of Fig. 5. I

In the form shown in Figs. 1 te l, inclusive, the invention is illustrated as applied to an overhead carrier tramrail system having a fixed track section 1 and a fixed track section 2 arranged at different rail levels but in the same vertical plane, the rail of the track section 2 being shown *at a higher level than the rail section and move it to a dif-v alignment with.

,of the track section 1. A vertically movable 4 -1,9 7,678* PATENT OFFICE transfer track section is'adaptedwhen in its uppermost position to have its rail 3 align-with the end of the rail of the upper fixed track section2, and in its lowermost position to align with the rail of the fixed tracksection 1, it being understood that this latter fixedtrack section may align simply with one end of. the transfer track section or it may comprise a continuous fixed track section having a gap which the trans-'" fer track section bridges so that it aligns with the fixed rails at both of its ends. However, the upper fixed track section must -ne'c-' essarily only align with one end of th'e'ltransfer track section since it would I be impossible to extend the-fixed track s'ectionfrom the other end as the. vertical guide support *forthe transfer track section would preclude such possibility. The ends 4 and 5 of the rails of the fixed track sections 1 and 2, respectively, are tapered to engage with'thetaperedends 6 and 7, respectivelyyof the railsof the ransfer track'section, The rails of theflfixedtrack sections 1 and 2 are T-shaped in cross section while the rail of the transfer track sec tion is also T-shaped in cross section and is see cured along its upper edge by welding or other suitable means to the bottom edge of the leg 8" of a relatively wide and heavy T-shaped 111C111", ber 9, this last named member being of substantially the same length as the rail 3 and forming a part of the transfer track section.

It should be understood that the wheels of the carriers are adapted to run on the flanges of all of the rails of the different sections and that the flanges of the rail 3 of the transfer track section align with the'fiange of the rails of the fixed track sections 1 and 2 according to which fixed track section the transfer track section is in A pair of spaced channel bars 10 are supported by angle suspension bars 11 depending from an ranged between the overhead support 12 and' a' lcwerhorizontal support 15. The channel barsf" 10 are arranged back to back andsupport the fixed track section 2 by means of a'hanger post 16 which is secured at its upper end between the ends of the channel bars 10 and at its lower'end to the Web of the T-rail forming the track section 2. In the same way a hangar strap; 17 secured to the lower end of the vertically extending I-beam guide member 13 supports the fixed track section 1. The transfer'track section is suspended by hoist cables 18 which extend upwardly from adjacent opposite ends thereof over sheaves 19 carried bybrackets 20 secured to'the overhead support 12 from whence they pass to suitable winding drums (not shown). The hoist '7 cables 18 extend downwardly between the channel bars 10 and have associated therewith pilot guides which serve to accurately position the transfer track section in alignment with the upper'of the fixed track sections. The pilot guides comprise upwardly tapered socket members 21 secured between the bars '10 and upwardly ex tending tapered projections 22 secured to the top of the T-beam 9 forming a portion of the transfer track section. The cables 18 pass 7 through the projections 22 and extend upwardly therefrom through the hollow socket members 21 so that as the transfer track section is elevated by the cables the projections 22 will enter the socket members 21.

'These tapered sockets and projections and the tapered meeting ends of the fixed track section 2 and the transfer track section 3 serve incon-p junction with a means later to be described to accurately position the transfer tracksection' in drawings of my present application and spe-- cifically shown and described inmy earlier patent, are provided between the hoist cables 18 and the T-beam 9 of the transfer track section.

Openings 24 are provided in the arm 8 of the T-beam 9 in which are accommodated these flexible connections. The cable operatingmechanismis preferably operated byan electric motor controlled by a limit switch supported on the underside of the channel bars 10 and having parts cooperating with the upper side of the T-beam 9 as the transfer track section approaches its upper limit of movement. This last mentioned arrangement is specifically set forth in my earlier patentrand need not be repeated herein.

In order that means be provided for preventing the carriers from running off the end of the rail of the fixed track section 2 when the rail of the transfer track section is not in alignment therewith a stop member is provided in,

the form of a T -bar 25 slidably mounted upon the inner face of the hanger post 16. The base of the T-bar 25 rests against the face of the post 16 and the bar is guided for vertical sliding. movement by means of guide plates. 26 secured to the post and overlying the base flange of the T-bar 25. The web 27 ofthe T-bar projects inwardly beyond the end of the fixed track section 2 and is positioned in the path of movement of the top of the transfer track section, a portion of this Web beveled. When the transfer track section is lowered the stop bar 25 is held by gravity in engagement with the top of the rail of the section 2 and will be engaged by the wheels. .of a carrier thereon, thus preventing the carrier from running off the end of the rail. When the transfer track section is elevated the end thereof, as the section approaches its uppermost position, engages the projecting web 27- of the stop bar 25 and raises the same to a position clear of the wheels of carriers traveling on the rail of thesection 2 so that such carriers may pass from the fixed track section to the transfer track section.

A means is also provided upon the end of the transfer track section adjacent the end of the fixed track section 2 for automatically retaining a carrier upon the transfer track section after the same has been lowered out of alignment with the fixed track section 2. This means comprises a pair of pivoted gravity actuated stop bars 28 pivoted. together on a longitudinally disposed pivot pin 29 carried in a suitable support arranged upon the top pf the T-beam 9. Each of "the barsis bent outwardly and downwardly and the lower end thereof is normally held by gravity close to the web of the rail 3 and in the path of movement of carrier. wheels resting upon the flanges of such rail.

.Above the pivot 29 each of the bars 28 has an upwardly and outwardly inclined arm portion 30 which extends to the opposite side of the pivot from the wheel engaging portion, the bars 28 being disposed in crossed relation. 'As the transfer track section approaches its uppermost.

position the extending arms 30 of the pivoted stop bars engage with the fixed channel .bars 10.

and are pushed downwardly with respect to the section 3, causing the wheel blocking portion of the bars to swing outwardly far enough to clear the wheels of a carrier. When the transfer track sectionis lowered out. of alignment with fixed track section 2 the arms 30 are moved out of engagement with the channel bars 10, thus permitting the blocking portion of the stop bars to swing by gravity into wheel blocking position. This movement may be assisted by a spring if desired.

An angle bracket 31 issecured to the upper side of the T-beam '9 at the end of the transfer track section adjacent the vertically arranged channel guide 13.jone arm of this angle bracket extending vertically upwardly. A vertically ex-.

tending plate 32 is secured by welding or other suitable means tothe end face of the T-beam 9, the lower end of the plate 32 terminating at the upper end of the rail. 3. The plate 32 is provided. with a longitudinally. extendingpentrally arranged rib 33 having a widened portion 34 adapted to engage with a stop member later to be described when the transfer track section approaches its lowermost limit so as to align such section with the fixed track section 1.. A'

horizontally extending vertically arranged plate 35 is secured to the upwardly extending arm of the angle bracket 31, which plate is connected to a second plate 36 lying-adjacent to the outer face of the channel 13 and having vertically arranged strips 3'7 secured thereto adjacent its. op-' posite sides so as to extend acrossthe side edges of the end face of the channel 13' as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Secured to each of these.

strips 37 are angle brackets 38, such brackets is provided with a guideway embracing the web and front face of the channel13 so that as the transfer track section is raisedor loweredthe end of such section having the guideway will be positively guided in its movements and. held against any tendency to swing laterally, thus enabling the transfer track section to'be brought into alignment with either of the fixed track sections. The lower end of the. channel guide memberv 13 is provided with a stop 36a arranged in'the path of the enlarged portion 34 of the strengthening rib 33 and adapted to be engaged by the same as the transfer track section approaches its lowermost limit for the. purpose of members 28 are provided. The pivot 38a..-;forj

these stop members is carried by the end faces of the channel, guide 13 while anopening is formed in the web of such guide to accommodate the pivot and to permit the crossed stop mem-- bers carried thereby to extend through the web so that the upwardly and outwardly extending arms 39 thereof will lie on opposite sides of the web in a position where they will be engaged by the angle members 38 as the transfer track section isbrought into alignment with the fixed track section 1. It is understood, of course, that these stop members are held by gravity in wheel.

blocking position. andthat when the upwardly projecting arms 39 thereofare engaged by the angle members 38 the stop members are sepa rated and moved out of wheel blocking position whereupon a carrier will be free to pass fromthe, fixed track section 1 onto the transfer tracksection. 'It is not necessary to provide any means upon the transfer track section toprevent car-- riers from passing eff ct the same at the end.

thereof adjacent the guide channel 13, since the end of the rail 3 and-the front 'face of the guide channel are in such close proximity that-there would not be room for a carrier to pass off of the transfer track section at thatend.

In order to steady the movement of the transfer track section and to relieve the strain on the hoisting cables 18 a counterweight 40 is provided which is carried at one end of a cable 41which passes upwardly and over sheaves 42 carried by brackets 43 secured to the support 12 and then downwardly between the channels 10 to a point wherev it is connected to the transfer" track section. A stop 44 is secured in a position where it will be engaged by the counterweight 40 when the transfer track section is in its lowermost position and since the connection between the counterweight cable 41 and the transfer track section is adjacent one end thereof. while its other end is positively supported by the engagement between the enlarged'portion 34 of the rib 33 and the stop member36a, it will beapparent that the transfer track section is supported in this position independently of the hoisting cables which may be slacked 01f should the hoisting mechanism overrun. Of course, a control switch for the hoisting motors may-be provided for automatically stopping the motors as the transfer track section arrives-at its lowermost position. I

From the foregoing description of this embodimentit will be seen that the transfer track section ,is positively guided and held against lateral swinging in its movements at all times and is therefore properly aligned with each of the fixed track sections. In addition to this there is the arrangement providing for the overrunning of the hoist mechanism when the transfer track section reaches its lowermost position, while stop means are provided at all suitable or necessary points for the purpose of preventing carriers fromrunning off either the fixed track sectionsor-the transfer track. section when the ends of such sections are not in alignment with another Section.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to Bin.- clusive the transfer track section including the. rail 45 is for the purpose of elevating'carriers received from the fixed track sections. 46 for various purposes such as to bring them to a loading platform, storage bin, .or other place. -The fixed track sections 46 are supported by strap hangars 47 secured to the Webs of the tracks and'to the lower end .of verticallyextending T-beams 48. The T-beams 48 are secured to an overhead support 49 by suitable meansv such as the angle brackets 50. It is understood, of

course, that the transfer track section is adapted to move between the vertically extending T-bars 48 into and out'of alignment with the fixed track sections. As in the previous form, a T'-beam 51 constitutes a portion of the transfer track section I and hasthe lower endof its arm secured to the upper endof the rail 45 of'the track section by any suitable means such as by Welding. Bearing boxes52 are secured in spaced relation to the upper side of the T-beam 5 1 and rotatably support. sheaves 53 about which pass the hoisting cables 54.. These cablesare suitably secured'at one end, preferably by a resilient connection, to brackets 55 carried by the overhead support 49. The cables 54 passing from this point of fixed securement extend around the sheaves 53 and upwardly. over sheaves 56 carried by supporting 11'0 brackets 57 secured to'the-overhead support 49 and then to a suitable hoisting mechanism suchas an electric'motor.

Secured in pairs to the upper side-of the T- beaml of the transfer track section and adjacent each 'end thereof are angle members 58 which extend past the endsofthe transfer track section and overlie the web or leg of the vertical T-beams 48 and .thus constitutea positive guide for the transfer track section at each end thereof; These angle members are secured to the upper;

the bolts passing throughthe horizontal arm of the angle members, blocks 61 arranged between such arms and the upper side of the T-beam 51, and through the upper side of'said T-beam.

In order to prevent any danger of carriers I passing off of the-transfer track section when the same is not in alignment with the fixed track section, suitable stop members are provided adjacent each end of the transfer track section. These stop members comprise a shaft 62 rotat ably. supported in an angle member 63, which has an end passing. underthe two outermost blocks 61, and by the web or leg of the T-beam 51. Secured to the shaft 62 is a downwardly extending stop member 64 which is normallyheld in wheel blocking position by gravity. Secured to the outer end of the shaft 62 isan actuating arm 65 tothe end. of which is attached ation-of the stop inembers'convenient. When it face of the T-beam 51 by bolts 59 and nuts 60,

is desired to raise either of thestcp members 164 out of wheel blocking position, the carrier upon the transfer track section is moved toward the It is also necessary to provide stopmembers in either direction.

adjacent each end of the fixed track section and stood that the cut away portion of the T-beams 48 also allowsthe arms 68 of'the stop members to extend therethrough in crossed relation to opposite sides of the web and to be in a position to be engaged by the angle members 53 as the transfer track section approaches its position of alignment with the fixed track sections whereupon the stop members are spread apart and a carrier is free to pass from either fixed track section onto the transfer track section.

In order to decelerate the movement of the transfer track section as it approaches its uppermost orlowermost position cooperating means are provided upon the transfer track section and.

one or both of the T-shaped guidebeams-48 for suchv purpose. This means comprises horizontally arranged laterally extending plates '71 secured to the outer sides of the overheads of T-beams 48- in cooperating pairs.

have arranged adjacent their lower ends sup porting brackets 73 which carry upon a horizontal pivot "(a a roller 75. These rollers are so;

positioned that they will be engaged by a vertically extending bowed spring plate '76 securedto one of the angle members 58 as the transfer track section, approaches its limit'of movement It is clear that as soon as either of the rollers '75 engage with the spring 1'76 that the latter will be gradually compressed and the movement of the transfer track section decelerated.

Although several preferred embodiments of the invention have been described it should be "understood that the same is susceptible of various modifications and adaptations within the scope'of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a device of the character described,

a fixed track section, a transfer track section adapted when in one position to lie end to end in longitudinal alignment with the fixed track section, means for raising and lowering said.

transfer track section, stop members at the end of said fixed track section clear of the path. of

said transfer track section and normally held in wheel blocking position, and means on said transfer track section engageable with the said stop members. as said section approaches its lowermost position to shift said members to inoperative position.

2. In a device of the character described, a fixed track section, a transfer tracksection adapted when in its lowermost position to lie end to end in longitudinal alignment with the fixed track section, means for raising and lowering said I -The outer ends of the plates '71 of each pair are connected by vertically extending plates 72 which inturn transfer track sectionQmeans for guiding said:

transfer track section during its raising and low ering movements, stop members adjacent the end of said fixed track section and normally held in wheel blocking position, said guiding means being engageable with the stop members as said section approaches its'lowermost position to shift said members to inoperative position.

3. In a device of the character described, fixed track sections arranged at different levels, a transfer track section movable into and out of longitudinal alignment with any of said fixed track sections, means for guiding said transfer track sectionduring its movement between the fixed track sections, a stop carried by said last named meansfor aligning the transfer track section with the lower of the fixed track sections,

and means adjacent the end of each fixed track section normally maintained in wheel blocking position but rendered inoperative as the transfer track section aligns with the respective fixed sections. i

4. In a device of the character described, an

overhead support, a pair of fixed track sections carried thereby at different levels, but in the same vertical plane a transfer track section movable into and out of longitudinal alignment with either of said fixed track sections, said support including a vertically extending member lying in the same vertical plane as the fixed track sections, and means carried by said transfer track section andcoacting' withsaid' vertically extending member for'guiding' said section in its movements into and out of with thefixed track sections. v

5. In a device of the character described, an

alignment overhead support, a pair of fixed track sections carried thereby at different levels but' in the same vertical plane, ,a transfer track section movable into and out of longitudinal alignment with either of said fixed track sections, said support including a vertically extending member lying in the same vertical plane as the fixed track sections and connected at its lower "end to the lower of the fixed track sections, means carried by said transfer track section and 'coacting with said vertically extending member for 'guicling said section in its movements into and out of alignment with the fixed track sections, and means carried by said member and cooperating with said transfer track section for aligning the same with the lower of the'fixed track sections. I I a 7 6; In' a device of the character described, a

support, fixed track sections carried by said sup port at different levels, a transfer track section movable into and out of longitudinal alignment with any of said fixed track sections, means for guiding said transfer track section during its movement between the fixed track sections, a

stop carried by said last'namedmeansfor 'aligning the transfer track section with the lowermost of the fixed track sections, socket members.

carried by said support, and projecting members carried by said transfer track section, said mem-,

bers cooperating with each other when the transfer track section approaches its uppermost limit of movement to align the same with the uppermost fixed track section.

EARL 'r. BENNINGTON. 

